Westminster Common Council: Election Date Change, Storm Drain Bid Approval, Parking Meters on Main Street

Hot topics from last night's meeting include changing election days and paying for parking meters on Main Street, among other things.

Election Date Change

The Westminster Common Council voted unanimously to change the date for the municipal election to the second Tuesday in May. Council members said that changing the date to coincide with other municipalities might increase voter turnout.

The polls will also be open an hour longer, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The next election will be held in 2013.

Storm Drain Bid Approval

The council voted to approve a bid from Mar-Allen Concrete Products to repair damage on the Clifton Boulevard storm drain. The bid for $170,336 includes concrete reinforcement on the interior lining in the pipe.

The bid is half the amount that was budgeted. The alternate is replacing the pipe.

Parking Meters on Main Street

The council discussed Dennis Frazier's idea of taking away parking meters on Main Street.

Frazier said that making Main Street parking free would put Main Street businesses on the same level as businesses in Westminster that have free parking.

“I know we do get revenue from parking, but I think it would benefit the city more to not have paid parking,” said Frazier. “I’m not looking at ways to make revenue but ways to increase traffic to Main Street.”

Mayor Kevin Utz agreed that free parking would be ideal but said further research needs to be done before a decision is made.

“My only comment is to see a report from you that says where the income is going to come through in business revenue,” said Utz. “I agree that it would be great to have free parking for everyone downtown, but that’s not going to bring business downtown. I’m not in favor of dropping parking meters until you can show me evidence that that’s going to happen.”

Councilman Tony Chiavacci, who owns local business Kojak Graphic Communications in downtown Westminster, saw a problem with availability of parking spaces if the meters were taken out.

“I want to give us a chance to earn the same as other businesses in Westminster, but if this happens, people will start parking there that work in the buildings,” said Chiavacci. “You cannot get a parking spot anywhere near our business on free parking days.” 

Parking meters were added as a formal agenda item for the next meeting.

Watershed Protection Deed

The Westminster Common Council accepted a deed from the county at Monday’s meeting for watershed protection for the Windy Hills Farm Subdivision.

The 11 ½ acres was offered as an effort to protect water quality at Cranberry Branch. The deed comes at no charge to the city and does not require maintenance.  

The next Westminster Common Council meeting is scheduled for July 25 at 7 p.m. in City Hall.